Combined hat confo rmator and stretcher



(No Model.)

H. LYONS.

GO'MBINED HAT OONFORMATOR AND STRETOHER. No. 890,178. Patented Sept. 25, 1888.

' I C 6 C 23 1/8 H" H n a; H I I u g 2 g f I :8 12 3 i I LIIIIIIP In mm for.

53196! 8 flgkl omg.

N, PETERS, Phnlodilhngmpher. Wmhinginn, D. C.

Ilnrran STATES HUGH LYONS, OF LANSING, MICHIGAN.

COMBINED HAT CONFORMATOR AND STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 390,178, dated September 25, 1888.

Application filed February 9, 1888.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HUGH LYoNs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lansing, in the county of Ingham and State of Michigan, haveinventcd certain new and usefulImprovements in a Combined Hat Conformator and Stretcher, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in an apparatus for fitting hats to the contour of the head. My invention consists in the improved construction, arrangement, and operation of the different parts, all as more fully hereinafter described.

In the drawings which accompany this specification, Figure l is a perspective view of my improved conformator. Fig. 2 is a central cross-section thereof, showing the device as applied to take the shape of the head. Fig. 3 is an elevation showing the apparatus complete, as in use for conforming the hat to the shape of the head as ascertained by the conformator.

A is an oval ring, of any suitable material, to form a frame of the general form of that part of the head 011 which the hat is worn, but somewhat larger; and B are the head-conforming slides radially, adj ustabl y secured by means of shanks a and thumb-screws b in suitable slots in the ring. The upper portions, 0, of the head-conlormiug slides are made round, and the lower ends, d, are curved outwardly. Upon the rounded upper portions, 0, the head-coir forming slides are pivotally secured the hatconformers G, which are preferably made of sheet metal, spoon-shaped, as shown, and resting on the shoulders 6, free to turn upon the portion 0 of the slides.

D are springs upon the shanks a, interposed between the ring and the slides, and eare stops to prevent the disengagement of the slides from the ring. The shanks a are preferably of triangular cross -sections to prevent the slides from turning and to enable the set-screws b to clamp them firmly in position.

E is a table, preferably of sheet metal, and somewhat larger than the ring A. This table is provided with suitable legs to permit of heating it from the under side by means of a Serial No. 263,484. (No model.)

suitable lamp, F, or other source of heat, and a hood or cover, G, is removabl y supported on brackets or rests f, all so arranged as to form a heating-chamber, H, above the table.

In practice, in order to fit a hat to the wearer, a flexible or knit cap is preferably first drawn over the head to get its perfect outline, and then the ring with the slides all unclamped is placed over it in the'same manner asa hat, certain marks on the ring, indicating front and rear, being brought into the corresponding position on the head. It is clear that the slides, being free to adjust themselves,wil1, under the action of the springs D, set themselves close against the head all around, and after making sure that this is properly accomplished and the ring placed in its right position to just embrace'that portion of the head on which the hat is worn the slides are all clamped firmly in position by means of the thumb-screws. If the ring is now taken off the head, it is evident that the exact size and form of the head are represented by the hatconformers O, and by the use of a tape the proper size of hat to be fitted to the wearer may be easily ascertained if not already known.

To fit the hat to the wearer in contour as well as in size, the hat selected is pressed down over the hat-conformers G in'the same manner as if it were a portion of the wearers head; front and rear of each being made to correspond exactly. After this is properly accom plished the conforinator, with the hat drawn upon it, is placed on the table E, the hood G placed over it, and a lamp, F, lighted. After afew minutes of heating (which softens'the material of the hat) the hat is allowed to cool off, when it will be found to have permanently acquired the intended shape, corresponding to the shape of the head of the wearer.

What I claim as my invention is- 1. In a device for the purpose described, the combination, with the ring, of conformingslides radially adjustably secured thereto and provided with head-conformers and hat-eonformers, substantially as described.

2. In a device for the purpose described, the combination, with the ring, of the conformator-slides provided with the shanks engaging into radial slots in the ring, the hat-conformators and head-conformators formed there the springs D, the hcad-conforniators C, pivotally secured upon the slides, and the curved ends (I, the parts being arranged to operate substantially as described.

5. The combination, in a device for the pur- [5 pose described, of the conforinator devices and the table E, and a hood or chamber, G, thclattcr being arranged to form a heating-chamber and to operate as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I alfix my signature, in 20 presence of two Witnesses, this 19th day of January, 1888.

HUGH LYONS.

Vitnesses:

JOHN SennMAN, .P. M. HULnnR'r. 

